By Troy Johnson
Jason Mraz Is Growing Coffee on a Farm in Oceanside
The middle of nowhere is the best nowhere to be. After all the development in San Diego over the decades, it’s hard to believe a place like South Morro Hills exists. This is farmland. You’ve read about it in books. It’s east of downtown Oceanside, across the 5 Freeway, down some windy roads, a couple blocks past the moon.
By Troy Johnson ll Photos by Madison Parker
The Big Family in Little Italy
No one can hush a roomful of Sicilians like Nonna. With a look or a whisper. Throughout the night, the Busalacchi home is not merely loud, it is a leading cause of tinnitus. Men and women talk over each other, a constant rising and falling of voices. People yell to fill our wine glasses (Joe makes his own wine, called Due Matti). They yell to be heard.
By Troy Johnson ll Photos by Claire Smith
How Blue Water Seafood built one of the country’s best fish markets
The Braun boys are from Ocean Beach. Never left. Known as “The People’s Republic,” the hyper-independent beach community is undergoing some drastic changes. It’s still rough around the edges, which keeps the full onslaught of gentrification at bay. But rents are going up, and, despite a loud opposition campaign, a Target just went in on the main drag, Newport Avenue.